Over 20km of embankments damaged
A total of 20.45 kilometres of flood-control embankments have been damaged in eight upazilas of Patuakhali due to downpour and tidal surge, triggered by depression over the Bay.
Five-hundred metres of the embankments have washed away totally and the remaining 19.05 km partially, said Md Arif Hossain, executive engineer of Water Development Board (WDB) in Patuakhali.
Officials said due to the recent depression in the Bay, the coastal areas including Patuakhali faced heavy rain and tidal surge from September 11 to 13.
Farmers fear that salt water from the sea and nearby rivers will enter the whole agricultural land in the district through the broken parts and damage Aman paddy fields.
Abdur Razzak, a farmer from Ranipur village in Mirzaganj upazila, said, "The dykes have collapsed at several places. Many houses and Aman fields have submerged, and the fish are gone with the current from many ponds."
Sobahan Mia, another farmer of the same village, said, "The salt water is entering the Aman field through the embankments' broken parts. We are at risk of losing yields."
Anwar Hossain Khan, chairman of Deuli Subidkhali Union Parishad, said the dykes have broken in at least five places from Subidkhali Bazar to Mehendiabad village.
Madhabkhali UP Chairman Kazi Mizanur Rahman Lovelu said following the dyke collapse, people especially the farmers, in North Madhabkhali, Kismatpur Bhutia Bazar, Kanki Rampur and Charchailabunia are suffering the most.
Abul Bashar, a farmer from West Lalua village in Kalapara upazila, echoed Lovelu.
The tidal water even entered different areas of Patuakhali town from September 11 to 13.
According to Patuakhali Meteorological Office, about 250 mm of rain was recorded in those three days.
WDB sources said all the rivers were flowing above the danger level of 35 cm at that time. Around 100 chars in Galachipa, Dashmina, Rangabali, Kalapara, Baufal and Mirzaganj upazilas were under 3 to 5 feet water.
The premises of Char Borhan Union Parishad in Dashmina upazila and several educational institutions were submerged.
The sluice gates at the town's new market, Sadar Road, Post Office Road and SDO Road have remained dysfunctional for a long time. As a result, roads in several areas including Mahila College Road had got inundated.
However, the water in the town receded later on.
About the overall situation, Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Kamal Hossain said instructions were given to the authorities concerned to repair the embankments.
In this regard, WDB's Arif Hossain said Tk 20 crore is required for repair work. They informed the water resources ministry of the matter.
Once the fund is confirmed, the dykes will be fixed as soon as possible, said the official.
Comments